15 Tips For Business Leaders To Nail Their First-Time Speaking Engagements

Forbes Coaches Council
Top coaches offer insights on leadership development & careers.Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own.

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Forbes Coaches Council

Top business and career coaches from Forbes Coaches Council offer firsthand insights on leadership development & careers.

With approximately 74% of Americans listing glossophobia or fear of public speaking as their No. 1 fear, according to Statistic Brain, you may be one of the millions of people who need intensive action to calm your nerves before a speaking engagement.

As a business leader looking to their first speaking engagement at a conference, it can be a daunting task to get up in front of a group of your peers for the first time. As difficult a challenge this may be, preparing in advance by understanding your audience and practicing your speech can make your presentation flawless. It can also help ready you for the stage and get those nerves under control.

Fifteen members ofForbesCoachesCouncil share their top tips for leaders who are speaking at their first conference. Here’s what they recommend:

All images courtesy of Forbes Councils members.

Members of Forbes Coaches Council share their insight.

1. Focus On Connection Over Content

Build your presentation from an emotional place rather than from the content. Connect to the audience by telling stories. People remember stories far more often than they remember detailed facts or figures. Talk to persuade, not just to inform. This will leave a lasting impression on the audience, creating a connector that long-term relationships can potentially be built from. -Claire Simier Karsevar,Simier Partners

2. Watch Your Body Language

Know that your body language speaks louder than your words. When you get the opportunity to speak, make sure you are dressed appropriately -- usually slightly nicer than your audience. Eye contact with audience members in the back corners of the room and along the front row will make the entire audience feel more involved. Hand gestures above the waist bring up the energy in the room. -Barbara OMalley, Exec Advance LLC